Jude 1.14-16 – The Ungodly

Today Jude writes about the ungodly, what is waiting for them, and we see how to avoid this.

¹⁴ It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, ¹⁵ to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” ¹⁶ These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.

Jude quotes from Enoch who we read of in Genesis 5 and Hebrews 11. His book was not canonised as Scripture, and Jude is using the same principle Paul did in Titus 1.12, for example, when he quotes non-canonical sources into what we now hold as Scripture. One story goes that the book of Enoch contained so many prophecies and testimonies of Jesus that it was destroyed by the Jews out of malice (EnduringWord).

Jude paints a vivid picture of the ungodly, and what is coming for them (vv.14-15), and then we see in v.16 that much of the ungodliness actually comes from what we say. We see harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against Him…grumblers…malcontents…loud-mouthed boasters…showing favouritism…

I read recently that where people fall out of step with God, they begin to complain. So, ungodliness here stems from what we say and our complaints. Complaints come when we are out of step and right relationship with God. To avoid ungodliness and the judgement that always comes with it what do we need to do?  

Stay in step with God and stay in right relationship with Him. 

We read of how in John 14,

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. ⁴ And you know the way to where I am going.”⁵ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” ⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Point to ponder – Am I in step with God today?

Prayer – Father, we thank you that through faith in Jesus we can be in right relationship with you. We know that apart from this we would never be able to work ourselves to you, into right relationship with you, and we pray today that you help us to rest in the finished work of Jesus, and in the wonderful truth that through faith in Him we are in step with you. Amen.